CD Review

Paul Martin has kindly asked me to review a few albums for him, and, so far, all of them have been good.One or two have been great, but all have been at least enjoyable.    So I haven’t been able to say anything bad about any of them.

Which is why, when he told me he was sending a new album, I was rather looking forward to ‘getting my knife out’.But after listening carefully, to this Patrick Feeney release, I regretfully couldn’t find anything to criticize. 

On ‘Gentle On My Mind’, I think his fifth album, the young Sligo man has come up with another winner.Patrick has a pure, tenor voice, which he uses perfectly.  Always hitting his notes right in the middle.  This makes listening to him sing a pleasure.  In fact, like a good wine, he leaves you wanting more. 

The album is an interesting mixture of Country and Irish, toe tappers and beautiful melodies.    The best known songs are the title track, and the Conway Twitty hit, ’It’s Only Make Believe’, and full marks to whoever suggested that Patrick should include the Sherrie Auston song, ’Streets of Heaven’.Maybe Patrick’s version will give this beautiful ballad the popularity it deserves, on this side of the Atlantic.

Glad to see some very good songs by local writers included. 

First class production by Jonathan Owens, in his Longford studio.   All superb musicians, but I must give a special mention to Dessie Hynes, on accordion. 

It’s unfair to pick out favourite tracks, but twist my arm and I’ll pick the opening song, ‘Wonderful World of Women’, ’Barley Hill’ and ‘Liza Jane’, but maybe that’s because I was in an ‘up tempo’ mood.   I had to include ‘Liza Jane’ because of the brilliant harmonies. 

All in all a great album, ‘Gentle On My Mind’ will be very gentle on your ears.

Wonderful World Of Women

Waltz With Me Tonight

Gentle On My Mind

The Streets Of Heaven

Barley Hill

Take Your Memory With You When You Go

Sing Me Lovely Leitrim

It's Only Make Believe

Irish Country Home

My Own Sligo Home

Lisa Jane

Bury Me Beneath The Willow

There's A Moon Over Ireland